CHARITY SPORTS CENTRE GETS OFF TO A FLYING START

15 March 2017

Wellesbourne villagers have been celebrating the opening of a £800,000 sports centre which aims to support clubs and community projects.

The Wellesbourne Sports and Community Centre, which received funding and support from Wellesbourne Parish Council, already has 200 members signed up for its gym, with bosses hoping it will help inspire a new generation of fitness lovers.

Anne Prior, a director at the centre, which will be operated as a charitable trust, said: “We’ve had amazing backing from the community and have been very fortunate with the support the project has received from the parish council – without them this would not have been possible.

“We have already had tremendous feedback from residents and our future plans for the centre will help us support even more local sports clubs and community projects.”

Kevin Mitchell, partner for Leamington-based Blythe Liggins Solicitors’ commercial team, advised Wellesbourne Parish Council on establishing the trust, which will run the centre and helped the negotiation processes for the contracts.

He said: “It’s extremely important to secure lease durations and costs, which will ensure these valuable facilities can be enjoyed by the community in Wellesbourne for generations to come.”

The centre has also received funding from the Persimmon Community Fund, Tesco Bags of Help and One Stop Carriers for Causes, along with donations from local residents through a ‘buy a brick’ scheme.